1. education
2. school

Superintendent’s Message
Welcoming Change
When there is a change in society, politics, and/or education, it directly impacts the work of
public school educators throughout the United States.
If history is an accurate barometer, we can anticipate frequent changes in the world around us,
and to be sure, such changes will foster challenges for educators that will have the potential to
lead to improved educational experiences for all students. Bonita Unified continues to focus the
influence we have on students in ways that reflect the passion, heart, and spirit of those who
want the very best for young people.
It is with a deep belief in our Bonita Unified School District teachers, administrators, and support
staff that gives me the confidence to know that our students are and will continue to be wellserved. The high degree of professionalism, heart, and focus brought to the campus, classrooms,
and office each day throughout Bonita Unified School District allows our students to be in the
place of most potential to one day be leaders in this changing world.
Dr. Gary Rapkin
Superintendent
District Elementary Schools Pilot Two Math
Curricula
The eight elementary schools in the Bonita Unified School District will be piloting two sets of
math curricula for the 2015-2016 school year. One system will be chosen at the end of next year
to be adopted in all elementary schools.
“Since the State adopted the Common Core State Standards, we have been looking for materials
that teach mathematics in a more conceptual way,” Senior Director of Curriculum and
Instruction Kenny Ritchie said. “The previous full adoption was chosen several years ago and
does not correlate as well with the new standards.”
Forty-two elementary teachers participated in the selection process. Middle and high school math
teachers were part of the review process to ensure continuity of language and sequence.
Additionally, a group of parents was invited to observe the review. Together, the selection team
identified Envision by Pearson and My Math by McGraw Hill for the pilot.
Each teacher in kindergarten through fifth grade will have the opportunity to teach one of the two
program materials. The District has developed a matrix of assignments to ensure that four
schools at each grade level test each program.
“We feel that the two programs that we are piloting correlate very well to the standards and have
the rigor that is going to prepare our students to be successful in math at the elementary, middle
and high school levels,” Ritchie said. “The curriculum has a strong foundation in the 8
mathematical practices, which will be the springboard for math instruction at all levels.”
The District will receive the materials this spring and will conduct training for teachers in May
and August. The publishers will provide additional training throughout the school year.
Boneman, Velasco, Hamilton Selected for
State Leadership Development Programs
Three Bonita Unified School District executive employees have been selected to participate in
State-sponsored mentoring programs. Director of Educational Technology Kris Boneman, Senior
Director of Fiscal Services Joan Velsaco, and Director of Purchasing Anna Hamilton will
complete assignments and interact with mentors in year-long leadership development programs
which results in various certifications.
Kris Boneman joins a cohort of 20 to work with the California Educational Technology
Professionals Association, a non-profit membership organization comprised of Educational
Technology Professionals who support schools in California. This program focuses on
fundamental elements of technology, education, and leadership to support each executive’s
understanding of the District as an organization.
“Educational technology has become an essential tool of instruction as we move the District
towards one-to-one use of devices per student,” Boneman said. “The program is a personal
challenge that will allow me to grow as an educational technology leader bringing tools to the
work we are doing in Bonita Unified. I am excited about the opportunity to network and learn
with a variety of technologists from various regions of California.”
The Chief Business Official (CBO) Mentor program Joan Velasco has been selected for is an
interagency collaboration designed to help California school districts fill CBO vacancies with
qualified CBOs. Discussions and assignments focus on fundamental issues that drive school
business policies in each major functional area, including school finance, accounting, budgeting,
facilities, maintenance and operations, transportation, contracts and procurement, risk
management, food service, charter schools, and others.
“I am very excited to begin this prestigious program and learn from other business
professionals,” Velasco said. “These skills will be brought back to the Bonita Unified School
District where they can be integrated into providing our District with the best professional
expertise in the complex area of school district finance.”
Anna Hamilton was selected for the Coalition for Adequate School Housing (CASH) School
Leadership Academy. Participants will complete assignments in: school facilities planning,
school finance and funding, asset management, site selection and acquisition, selection of
architect, educational specifications, design process, effective partnering with state and local
agencies, public school construction, school facilities program management and accountability,
maintenance and operations, and commissioning a new school.
“Being a vital part of the District’s Facilities Team is very gratifying,” Hamilton said. “The
feeling of accomplishment when you are a part of the process of modernizing an existing school
facility, or participating in the design and construction of a new facility is undeniably amazing.
No matter what the student population, new, maintained, and safe schools all lend to the
successful education of our children and the advancement of our communities.”
Kris Boneman, Joan Velasco, and Anna Hamilton were selected for State sponsored
leadership development programs that will enhance the educational technology, finance,
and purchasing departments of the Bonita Unified School District.
May Performances
@ Bonita Center for the Arts
Ramona Middle School Production of "Annie" the Musical, May 1, 6:30
PM
BUSD Elementary Choral Showcase, May 5 & May 7, 12:00 PM
Lone Hill Middle School Band Concert, May 11, 6:30 PM
Ramona Middle School Pop Show, May 12, 6:00 PM
Lone Hill Middle School Choral Showcase, May 13, 6:30 PM
San Dimas High School Pop Concert, May 14 & May 15, 6:30 PM
BUSD Elementary Band Concert, May 18 & May 19, 7:00 PM
Bonita High School Band Concert, May 20, 7:00 PM
Ramona Middle School Band Concert, May 21, 5:30 & 7:30
Bonita High School Pop Concert, May 27 & May 28, 7:00 PM
Shull Elementary Variety Showcase, May 29, 6:30 PM
New Online State Assessments Administered
in April and May
The California Assessment of Student Progress and Performance (CAASPP) created by the
Smarter Balance Assessment Consortium is currently being administered in Bonita Unified
School District. The CAASPP replaces the Standardized Testing and Reporting (STAR)
assessment, a test under the umbrella of the California Standardized Test (CST). Each school is
scheduled for a two-week testing period that began in April and will run through the middle of
May. The District reminds stakeholders that results of the new online assessment cannot be
directly compared to the old STAR assessment data.
In this first full year of implementation, BUSD expects that there will be adjustments
in calibration as baseline data is gathered over the next two years, so no conclusions should be
drawn based on this first year of test results. “Statistically speaking, it takes three years of data to
identify a trend in performance,” Assistant Superintendent of Education Nanette Hall said.
“Therefore, we cannot make conclusions based on only one year of data. The entire State is on a
learning curve when it comes to reading the results of the CAASPP to help identify areas of
strength and areas to focus for growth.”
Because the CAASPP is designed differently than the STAR, and because the State will be
calibrating the test based on this year’s data, stakeholders will see differences in expected student
performance on standardized tests. “The CAASPP assesses several skills together by requiring
students to complete multiple tasks to respond to each question. Even the language that will be
used on the assessment results reports is different,” Hall continued.
Until mid-March, districts throughout the State were waiting for a decision from the California
Board of Education (CBE) regarding the use of the 2014-2015 assessment data. The CBE voted
to use the data for individual scores, but to suspend the “Academic Performance Index (API) for
the 2014-15 school year as the State develops a more comprehensive accountability system
based on multiple measures rather than a single index,” State Superintendent of Public
Instruction Tom Torlakson announced in March. The API has been used by the State to measure
districts against a performance benchmark and to motivate them to improve educational
processes for all students.
The CBE acted on Torlakson’s recommendation as well as that of the Public Schools
Accountability Act Advisory Committee that called for the development of a new accountability
system to rate school performance. The new system would be designed to focus on multiple
indicators, such as graduation data and student preparedness for college and career, and not only
on test scores. The advisory committee also reported that because the transition to such a system
will be a long-term process, the earliest an accountability report could be produced is fall of
2016.
Schools in the Spotlight
Oak Mesa Elementary School
Jump Rope for Heart
In February, all Oak Mesa students participated in a “Jump Rope for Heart” event. Students
enjoyed jumping rope to music and raising funds for the American Heart Association. The event
taught students the importance of developing heart-healthy habits and that exercise is fun. Even
the staff competed to see who could jump the longest. Principal Jason Coss finished at a
disappointing 4th place, but soon after surreptitiously found ways to disqualify the 1st-3rd place
winners and declared himself the winner. The Oak Mesa Student Council overruled Mr. Coss’
decision to disqualify those who beat him, and named noon-aide Gabby McGarry the true
winner.
Oak Mesa Principal Jason Coss jumped rope next to Landon Zayas at the school’s Jump
Rope for Heart event in February.
Walk Through History Presentations
This year fourth and fifth graders at Oak Mesa Elementary School participated in a Walk
Through history presentation. A “Walk Through” is an interactive educational presentation
utilizing friendly competition and lively retelling of History curriculum. This program featured
“Walk Through California” for fourth grade and “Walk through the American Revolution” for
fifth grade.
“Walk through California” focused on major events that shaped our great state of California.
Drama, dance, games, and music activities supported students in acquiring key listening skills,
vocabulary development, history and geography standards. Fourth grade students learned about
California through interesting facts, funny stories, and by becoming familiar with amazing places
our state has to offer. As a culminating activity, every student dressed up and actively
participated in an informative retelling of California’s rich history.
“Walk through the American Revolution” featured a hands-on, interactive learning and team
building experience. Students recreated famous battle scenes, and took expert roles on characters
and Acts during the American Revolution, all while in costume. Learning history has never been
more fun, engaging, and unforgettable!
Ms. Dunville’s 4th grade class gathers for a group photo after their “Walk Through
California” live-learning history event.
Mrs. Hernholm’s 5th grade class who participated in a “Walk through the Revolution”
event to learn about our nation’s beginnings reenacted The Battle of Bunker Hill.
Math Olympiad
In March, fourth and fifth graders from Oak Mesa participated in the BUSD Math Olympiad.
Both teams that performed did exceptionally well, with the fourth grade team earning first place.
This team will also move on to the LA County Math Olympiad this April.
Oak Mesa’s 4th grade Math Olympiad Team took first place at the District competition in
March. From left to right: Jessica Ye, Joelle Huang, 4th grade teacher Danielle Reynolds,
Ashley Padres, Clayton Roland, and Andrew Hong.
La Verne Heights Elementary School
2015 Walk-A-Thon
The annual Walk-A-Thon is La Verne Heights’ signature PTA fundraising event designed to
support many of the academic and enrichment opportunities students receive, including
Accelerated Reader Incentives, Family Reading Nights, Meet the Masters Art Program,
Character Counts character education program, and transportation for all Field Trips. This year’s
theme is Race to the Top, and the fundraising goal is to raise $44,000. Funds raised above this
amount will be used to purchase additional technology for the students. This year the PTA is
proud to have twelve $500 sponsors for the event: My Delight Cupcakery, Exxon Mobil, Delt
Builders, Red Dragon Karate, Valero, Tensor ID, BJ’s, Mr. D’s Diner, Anderson Tax Service,
Foothill Credit Union, Ricks Realty, and Sanders Lock and Key. Anyone wishing to contribute
to La Verne Heights’ Walk-a-Thon is invited to contact the school office.
Many local businesses have donated $500 or more to the La Verne Heights PTA annual
walk-a-thon. Students and PTA parents are “Racing to the Top” to raise $44,000 to
support academic and enrichment opportunities.
Autism Awareness Month
April is Autism Awareness month, so the staff at La Verne Heights is promoting this year’s
theme of accept, understand, and love by wearing Autism Awareness shirts every Monday in
April. AutismSpeaks.Org shares, “Autism Awareness Month is a time to educate your
community about autism and Light It Up Blue! Spreading autism awareness in schools is a great
way to celebrate April and promote inclusion and acceptance in the classroom and beyond.” We
are excited to be a part of this national movement in raising awareness at La Verne Heights and
beyond.
La Verne Heights’ staff sport special shirts on Mondays in April to support Autism
Awareness month.
LVH Has Empowered Educators
Renaissance Learning has developed a new national recognition program to honor educators who
have successfully met data targets designed to optimize student growth using the Accelerated
Reader program. LVH is proud to honor fourteen teachers who have been nationally recognized
on the Renaissance Empowered Educator Honor Roll: Michelle Horne, Beverlee Grundy, Jen
Cerecerez, Anika Bartley, Dana Frontino, Kim Schneider, Tara Garcia, Lisa Tucker, Sarah
Bronner, Lauren Konrad, Liz Quezada, Nicole Greep, Nicole Shipman, and Stephanie Bracci. In
addition, our librarian, Sarina Bellomo has been honored with the National Empowered Educator
Award for creating a model library to support students in their reading development. La Verne
Heights has been recognized as a National Honor Roll School for outstanding reading achievement
and is truly proud of all of their students for demonstrating outstanding success using Accelerated
Reader, and they are equally proud of their staff for motivating their students to achieve academic
greatness.
Ekstrand Elementary School
Great Community Partnerships
Each year our 2nd graders go on a field trip to the Tzu Chi Educational Foundation in San Dimas,
California, one of Ekstrand’s biggest supporters. This community partnership helps students to
understand the importance of taking care of our natural resources. Once students arrive on site,
they are greeted with kindness and divided into three rotations. The first rotation was taught by
non-other than our own retired teacher, Lisa McCarter. McCarter taught the students that
children are the future guardians of this planet, so it is their responsibility to start taking care of
Earth now.
The second rotation was taught by a Tzu Chi volunteer who taught the students the importance of
reusing materials. They learned how to make fun activities from gallon milk cartons, and then
made beautiful necklaces from rolled up pages of magazines.
The third rotation taught students several of the ways that recycled materials are used. Students
felt soft blankets made from recycled plastic bottles and made their own paper. They learned
about the different categories of recycled materials and sorted recyclable items.
Retired Ekstrand teacher Lisa McCarter addresses second grade students about their
responsibility to care for the earth at a recent field trip to the Tzu Chi Educational
Foundation.
A Tzu Chi Educational Foundation volunteer shows a second grader a soft blanket made
from recycled plastic bottles.